The Trek into Chult and A Hadrosaurus Encounter
General Summary
28 Flamerule - 5 Elesias, The Year of the Duplicitous Courtier (1496 DR)
Jungle of Chult
For the first six days after escaping the vampirates in Jahaka Anchorage, the adventurers known as S.M.A.L.L., led by the archeologist Neverwinter Bones, traveled uneventfully through the rain-soaked jungle of Chult. Despite the constant rain, the air was humid. Nevertheless, the vibrant colors of the flora and the unique wildlife around them captivated everyone's senses. Zantix's spells proved resourceful. Each day he would cast Goodberry, magically creating up to ten berries infused with enough nourishment to sustain anyone eating it for an entire day. At some point along the river, they would fill their waterskins. Zantix would then cast Purify Food and Drink, rendering any contaminated water free of poison or diseases. Nights were spent around a crackling campfire inside a comfortable and dry Leomund's Tiny Hut, cast by Sajen. Inside the magical shelter, they spent evenings sharing stories of past adventures and talked of future dreams. For days, they followed the River Tath, which Neverwinter said would lead to the interior of Chult, in particular, the Aldani Basin. There, they could make their way up the plateau known as Mbala, which rises over a thousand feet above the Aldani Basin. It would offer them a great view of the surrounding jungle and perhaps help them find the wreck of the Star Goddess as well as help them find their way to Camp Vengeance, which he said lay some thirty miles north of Mbala. As they trekked through the jungle, they were surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flora. They encountered no aggressive creatures or hostile natives, nor the dreaded Batari goblins, known to love the taste of other humanoid flesh. They only caught glimpses of docile wildlife like colorful birds and playful monkeys. The days passed peacefully, spent in easy conversation and appreciation of the natural beauty around them. On the seventh day, the group unexpectedly stumbled upon an abandoned military camp near the river. The campsite bore the remnants of a recent violent event by the sight of the torn, weathered tents. Eerily silent, it evoked a sense of mystery and intrigue. Everyone couldn't help but wonder what events unfolded there and why it was abandoned. Despite assuming the camp was abandoned about ten days ago at most, the jungle seemed to have slowly begun to claim the camp, its relentless growth slowly swallowing the large camp built to accommodate as many as two dozen people. As they cautiously explored the area, they discovered, among the camp remains, a tin of insect-repellant salve. It was about half full, with about a dozen applications left. Still, it would help the annoying mosquitoes and other insects from eating them alive. Inside one of the tents, they found two necklaces with charms bearing the symbol of a gauntleted hand holding a sword. Neverwinter said it was the symbol of the Order of the Gauntlet. Its members occupy Camp Vengeance, but he couldn't understand what a large force of them would be doing this far south of the camp, nor what happened to them. Sein suggested taking the necklaces back to Camp Vengeance and report what happened at this camp. The group speculated that the soldiers may have been attacked by Batari goblins or dinosaurs. Unfortunately, the rain washed away any clues to what may have happened at the camp. While searching, they also found a week's worth of rations as well as a ring expertly carved from a piece of bone that Sein believed to belong to Tyrannosaurus Rex after seeing a similar-looking bone in a curio shop once. The ring was found on a decomposing severed finger. Mask offered to cast Identify on the ring to determine its magical properties, if it had any. After a minute, he gave the ring back to Zantix and said all he could determine was that the ring exhibited an aura of enchantment magic and had some kind of attraction effect, although in what form the spell didn't uncover. The word "wongo" revealed itself to Mask too. He said it could be a command word or a name, perhaps. Zantix thanked Mask, then put on the ring, which fit him perfectly and matched the necklace of bones he wore around his neck. Soon after, the group continued their trek into Chult. On day 8, as the group continued their trek through the dense jungle, a sudden rustle in the foliage caught their attention. Without warning, a massive dinosaur emerged, its majestic crest rising high above the nearby trees. It stood over a dozen feet in height and looked down towards the adventurers. Its eyes locked onto them with an intense, predatory gaze.
Neverwinter said the dinosaur was a hadrosaurus, an herbivore that is often used as mounts or in dinosaur races in Port Nyanzaru. He quickly added that they aren't known to be aggressive, and this one was probably still a juvenile, judging by its smaller-than-average size of under 20 feet.
Brick said the dinosaur seemed to have forgotten that it wasn't supposed to be aggressive.
With thundering footsteps, the hadrosaurus charged forward, unleashing a deafening roar.
Thinking quickly, the members of S.M.A.L.L. readied themselves for their first battle against a dinosaur. Neverwinter, Brick, Sein, and Sajen moved toward the charging hadrosaurus. Mask hopped onto Dogee and teleported onto a thick branch of a huge tree nearby. There the rogue planned to use his bow against the dinosaur.
Just as the hadrosaurus was about to reach Brick, Zantix cast a potent Spike Growth spell beneath its path. As the sharp thorns emerged from the ground, the hadrosaurus roared in pain and tried to change direction, but it was too late. The merciless spikes inflicted fatal wounds, bringing the ancient giant down inches from where Brick stood his ground.
A single spell had felled the hadrosaurus.
The group, satisfied no other dinosaurs threatened them, quietly collected themselves and stood around the dead hadrosaurus.
The forest, too, fell silent, mourning the loss of a magnificent beast.
For the first six days after escaping the vampirates in Jahaka Anchorage, the adventurers known as S.M.A.L.L., led by the archeologist Neverwinter Bones, traveled uneventfully through the rain-soaked jungle of Chult. Despite the constant rain, the air was humid. Nevertheless, the vibrant colors of the flora and the unique wildlife around them captivated everyone's senses. Zantix's spells proved resourceful. Each day he would cast Goodberry, magically creating up to ten berries infused with enough nourishment to sustain anyone eating it for an entire day. At some point along the river, they would fill their waterskins. Zantix would then cast Purify Food and Drink, rendering any contaminated water free of poison or diseases. Nights were spent around a crackling campfire inside a comfortable and dry Leomund's Tiny Hut, cast by Sajen. Inside the magical shelter, they spent evenings sharing stories of past adventures and talked of future dreams. For days, they followed the River Tath, which Neverwinter said would lead to the interior of Chult, in particular, the Aldani Basin. There, they could make their way up the plateau known as Mbala, which rises over a thousand feet above the Aldani Basin. It would offer them a great view of the surrounding jungle and perhaps help them find the wreck of the Star Goddess as well as help them find their way to Camp Vengeance, which he said lay some thirty miles north of Mbala. As they trekked through the jungle, they were surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flora. They encountered no aggressive creatures or hostile natives, nor the dreaded Batari goblins, known to love the taste of other humanoid flesh. They only caught glimpses of docile wildlife like colorful birds and playful monkeys. The days passed peacefully, spent in easy conversation and appreciation of the natural beauty around them. On the seventh day, the group unexpectedly stumbled upon an abandoned military camp near the river. The campsite bore the remnants of a recent violent event by the sight of the torn, weathered tents. Eerily silent, it evoked a sense of mystery and intrigue. Everyone couldn't help but wonder what events unfolded there and why it was abandoned. Despite assuming the camp was abandoned about ten days ago at most, the jungle seemed to have slowly begun to claim the camp, its relentless growth slowly swallowing the large camp built to accommodate as many as two dozen people. As they cautiously explored the area, they discovered, among the camp remains, a tin of insect-repellant salve. It was about half full, with about a dozen applications left. Still, it would help the annoying mosquitoes and other insects from eating them alive. Inside one of the tents, they found two necklaces with charms bearing the symbol of a gauntleted hand holding a sword. Neverwinter said it was the symbol of the Order of the Gauntlet. Its members occupy Camp Vengeance, but he couldn't understand what a large force of them would be doing this far south of the camp, nor what happened to them. Sein suggested taking the necklaces back to Camp Vengeance and report what happened at this camp. The group speculated that the soldiers may have been attacked by Batari goblins or dinosaurs. Unfortunately, the rain washed away any clues to what may have happened at the camp. While searching, they also found a week's worth of rations as well as a ring expertly carved from a piece of bone that Sein believed to belong to Tyrannosaurus Rex after seeing a similar-looking bone in a curio shop once. The ring was found on a decomposing severed finger. Mask offered to cast Identify on the ring to determine its magical properties, if it had any. After a minute, he gave the ring back to Zantix and said all he could determine was that the ring exhibited an aura of enchantment magic and had some kind of attraction effect, although in what form the spell didn't uncover. The word "wongo" revealed itself to Mask too. He said it could be a command word or a name, perhaps. Zantix thanked Mask, then put on the ring, which fit him perfectly and matched the necklace of bones he wore around his neck. Soon after, the group continued their trek into Chult. On day 8, as the group continued their trek through the dense jungle, a sudden rustle in the foliage caught their attention. Without warning, a massive dinosaur emerged, its majestic crest rising high above the nearby trees. It stood over a dozen feet in height and looked down towards the adventurers. Its eyes locked onto them with an intense, predatory gaze.
Hadrosaurus (large herbivore, can grow up to nearly 30 feet in height)
A necklace normally worn by a member of the Order of the Gauntlet.
Report Date
21 Jul 2023
Comments